Sunshine Coast Airport
Thu, 18/06/2020 - 13:49 "Deputy Speaker, the first step in any growth strategy is to protect your core. It is to do more with your strengths. One of the great strengths of the Sunshine Coast…
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National Radioactive Waste Management Amendment (Site Specification, Community Fund and Other Measures) Bill 2020
Thu, 11/06/2020 - 22:28 "I believe that many of us in this chamber will benefit from nuclear medicine at some point in our lives. Whether it's an X-ray, a health screening or a diagnostic test…
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COVID-19: Sunshine Coast Economy
Fri, 12/06/2020 - 13:46 "I'm happy today to be releasing a report on a survey I've recently undertaken with the business community, and I'm grateful to the 281 business leaders who made a contribution. Their…
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Business survey results and call to reopen the QLD border
Fri, 12/06/2020 - 13:41 According to the Grattan Institute, the Sunshine Coast has lost more jobs as a result of COVID-19 than any other region in Queensland. Unfortunately, the sectors that are the strong suit…
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HomeBuilder Grants
Supporting our construction industry as we recover from the COVID-19 economic downturn is key to under-pinning the Sunshine Coast economy. The $25,000 HomeBuilder Grants announced today by the Morrison Government will help families and first…
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Maroochydore and Mons Rd Interchanges
A flyover perspective of the new $301.25 million upgrade to the Mons Rd and Maroochydore Rds Interchanges which commenced construction in June 2020.
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Future mix of the energy sector
Despite the almighty challenges that our nation faces, there also does lie an opportunity, an opportunity for us to rebuild an even stronger and more resilient economy than what we previously had. This is going…
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JobKeeper – support for businesses and individuals
COVID-19 is affecting us all. Many Sunshine Coast locals have lost their job, through no fault of their own. They’re our neighbours, our family, our mates, our former colleagues … and, right now, they’re needing a…
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Supporting business through the COVID-19 crisis
COVID-19 is affecting us all. Many local businesses are struggling to survive, through no fault of their own. They’re our local café, our favourite restaurant, our neighbour’s new start-up and, right now, they need help…
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COVIDSafe App
The COVIDSafe app is part of our work to slow the spread of COVID-19. Having confidence we can find and contain outbreaks quickly will mean governments can ease restrictions while still keeping Australians safe. The new…
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Anzac Day 2020
There won’t be public marches or ceremonies to commemorate ANZAC Day this year and this will be tough for many people … but we’re all being asked to stay at home so we can save…
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Happy Easter 2020
I just wanted to take the time to wish everyone a safe and happy Easter. Usually that would mean taking care on a long driving holiday or not making yourself sick on chocolate, but this year…
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JobKeeper – Your Questions Answered
**JOBKEEPER – Your Questions Answered** The Australian Government’s $130 billion JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme is now available for eligible businesses and employees. This video answers the most commonly asked questions.
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Applying online to Centrelink – Here’s How
HOW DO I ACCESS INCOME SUPPORT? My office is receiving lots of enquiries about how to access Centrelink payments. Instead of lining up at a Centrelink office or waiting on the phone, you can do…
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Land 400 Boxer Combat Reconnaisance Vehicle
It is not at all surprising that Labor again drivel untruths to try to tell a story. We know that Labor's spend on defence when they were in office—1.5 per cent of GDP—was actually lower…
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Nuclear Energy
No-one on the side of the House, including me, is suggesting that nuclear technology—even small nuclear reactors—is an absolute certainty for this country. What we are suggesting is that this new and emerging technology should at least…
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2020 Australian Day Honour Awards recipients
Our nation, no doubt, started the year—and, indeed, the decade—with its challenges from drought, bushfires and the coronavirus. But, rightly, we paused as a nation to celebrate Australia Day. In doing so, we paused as…
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$1.9 billion Infrastructure Announcement
Today I spoke in Parliament about the importance of Infrastructure in Queensland. Last week, there was an announcement of $1.9 billion for infrastructure for Queensland. I can't tell you how impressed I was with the ongoing commitment…
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Fairfax Perpetual Shield
In honour of Ruth Fairfax, two years ago I began a perpetual shield with schools in my electorate that recognised that next generation of leaders, the next generation of men and women who will be…
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2020 January Summer Roadtrip
Every season, I enjoy going on a road trip around my electorate of Fairfax. Only a few weeks ago my summer road trip was all about the bushfires, for obvious reasons. I met with the…
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Not without your approval: a way forward for nuclear technology in Australia’
Today in my role as Chair of the Standing Committee on Environment and Energy I presented to the House a report entitled 'Not without your approval: a way forward for nuclear technology in Australia'. This is…
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Bushfire condolence motion – Ted O’Brien MP
Today, on the first sitting day of 2020, we put formal Parliamentary business aside, and my colleagues and I paid tribute to those impacted by Australia's devastating fires. Thank you to all those on the…
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STANDING COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY – INQUIRY INTO THE EFFICACY OF PAST AND CURRENT VEGETATION AND LAND MANAGEMENT POLICY, PRACTICE AND LEGISLATION AND THEIR EFFECT ON THE INTENSITY AND FREQUENCY OF BUSHFIRES
The Standing Committee on Environment and Energy, of which I am Chair, is currently conducting an inquiry onto the efficacy of past and current vegetation and land management policy, practice and legislation and their effect…
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2019!
A very Merry Christmas and safe and Happy New Year to everyone. I would especially like to thank our emergency service volunteers who will again be on call during this Christmas period.
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Merry Christmas and thank you Scarlett!
I know we're all very excited; we're all pumped about Christmas coming up. But there is a five-year-old little girl in my electorate of Fairfax whose name is Scarlett. This year I suspect she's going…
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Nuclear Energy Inquiry – the Kenny Report interview
Ted O'Brien MP speaks with Chris Kenny from Sky News about the status of the House Standing Committee on Environment and Energy's Inquiry into the prerequisites for nuclear energy in Australia.
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Ridescore Active Schools
I was delighted only a few weeks ago to attend the launch of RideScore Active Schools on the Sunshine Coast. Full credit to We Ride Australia, who have championed this program. The federal government is…
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Maroochydore Surf Lifesaving Club – National Rescue Medal
Did you know that every single day there are about 30 people across this country who survive due to surf lifesavers saving them? On 27 October this year, three surf lifesavers from the Maroochydore Surf…
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Aged Care
Regardless of whatever policy changes come from a royal commission, what is needed—not just from people in politics but across civil society—is a cultural shift for how we treat our elderly. I was delighted when…
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Generation Innovation
Over five years ago, on the Sunshine Coast—Australia's most entrepreneurial region—we started a not-for-profit group called Generation Innovation that wraps those needs around young 15 to 25-year-olds—young people who want to have a go and…
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